Hualapai Mountain Park
Hualapai Mountain Park
Hualapai Mountain Park, located just 15 miles southeast of Kingman, is an ideal destination to visit this time of year for its unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and refreshing escape from scorching summer temperatures. With elevations ranging from 4,984 to 8,417 feet, the park offers a welcome reprieve, typically 10–15°F cooler than the surrounding desert, making it perfect for comfortable hiking, camping, or picnicking. Pine forests and granite boulders create a refreshing alpine environment, contrasting with the arid desert below.
The park, the oldest in Mohave County, was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, giving it a unique historical charm with stone cabins and trails that remain largely unchanged. Its name, meaning “People of the Tall Pines,” honors the Hualapai Tribe, who were forcibly removed in the 1870s. Interpretive signs along trails detail this history. Check out historical sites, like the abandoned storm shelter near Aspen Peak.
The park boasts over 10 miles of trails, suitable for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, with spectacular views of the desert and distant mountain ranges like the Cerbat and Mohave Mountains. Trails like the Aspen Peak Trail via Potato Patch Loop (6.1 miles, 1,689 ft elevation gain) and Hualapai Peak Trail (7.9 miles, 2,260 ft) are highly rated. These trails, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, traverse diverse habitats from chaparral to mixed conifer forests, offering opportunities to spot wildlife and the usually clear skies enhance visibility, making it an excellent time for summit views from Hualapai Peak, the highest point in Mohave County at 8,417 feet. Additionally, the park’s 18-hole disc golf course provides a fun, all-ages activity.
This is a prime time for wildlife watching, as animals are active in the park’s cooler, forested areas. You might even see some up close through the large windows while dining at the Hualapai Mountain Lodge. The park’s biodiversity, including hawks, owls, golden eagles, elk, mule deer, and occasional mountain lions, makes it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Early morning or late afternoon visits increase your chances of spotting critters, especially along trails like the Potato Patch Loop, but use caution as elk attacks have been known to occur.
The park offers diverse accommodations, making it ideal for a summer getaway. With over 70 campsites across three areas, including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and rustic cabins, there’s something for everyone. Cabins, equipped with bathrooms, kitchens, and fireplaces, are particularly popular in summer. The RV park, featuring 35 spaces with water, sewer, and electricity, is mostly open year-round, though booking early is advised due to high demand and likely sell-outs. Tent camping in areas like Pine Basin is first-come, first-serve, offering a quiet, dark night sky perfect for stargazing. Fees are reasonable: $10 for day use, $20–$30 for camping, and cabin rates vary (call 928-681-5700 for details).
Seasonal weather provides warmth for daytime activities with cool nights for camping. The park’s lush forests, vibrant wildlife, and amazing views make it a great place to escape from the desert. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, or family-friendly fun, Hualapai Mountain Park delivers a memorable adventure.
Online at: https://parks.mohave.gov/parks/hualapai-mountain-park
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Kingman Railroad Museum
The Kingman Railroad Museum, located downtown at 402 E. Andy Devine Ave, in the historic Santa Fe Depot, is a local gem.
Housed in a beautifully restored Spanish Colonial Revival-style depot built in 1907, the museum offers a dive into Kingman’s pivotal role as a railroad hub since the 1880s, when Lewis Kingman surveyed the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad route.
Exhibits include vintage locomotives, train cars, photographs, and memorabilia that showcase the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway’s impact on the American West. The Depot’s Amtrak waiting room offers a living link to rail travel.
A highlight for all ages is the museum’s three operating model train layouts with intricate miniature landscapes replicating Kingman’s historic scenes, in O, HO, and N gauges, they are regularly updated and expertly run and maintained by volunteers including former rail workers. These interactive setups captivate kids and spark nostalgia for older visitors, making it a perfect family activity.
An economical adventure, admission is budget-friendly at $2 for ages 13 and up, with children 12 and under free. Donations are appreciated to support the volunteer-run museum. The museum’s air-conditioned interior provides a cool retreat from summer heat. Museum hours are currently 10am - 4pm Friday through Sunday. Call 928-753-7995 for more information.
Located on Historic Route 66, the museum is steps from the Arizona Route 66 Museum and Mohave Museum of History and Arts, and the Powerhouse Visitor Center, creating a cultural hub in downtown Kingman. Its proximity to Hualapai Mountain County Park (30 minutes away) allows you to pair a morning of history with an afternoon of hiking in cooler, forested elevations.
The museum is seeking volunteers. Consider joining their volunteer open house on August 20th at 6 PM to learn about volunteering opportunities.
The Kingman Railroad Museum offers a charming, affordable, and educational experience that captures the heart of America’s rail and road heritage, ideal for escaping the summer heat for an hour or two.